Seaside souvenirs: shell vase

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Display your collection of shells in a large glass vase with a second vase inside to fill with water for flowers. Look for vases of roughly the same height and stand the narrower of the two inside the other to check there's enough room for the shells.

Slip the shells in one at a time to create an artistic arrangement, using a long knitting needle to rearrange them if necessary. This is a clever way to make a few shells look like a lot.

Choosing flowers that thrive by the sea - such as thrift and harebells - or in white and blue, will continue the coastal theme.

 Note: In some parts of the world, collecting shells may be illegal or require a special permit. Get your shells in an eco-friendly way by asking fishmongers for shells they usually throw away, or buying cockles, whelks and winkles from a stall, for tea by the sea. 

Feature: Janet Palmer. Photo: Richard Burns

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Originally published July 30, 2010